Warmer temperatures make for a bearable winter in Georgia. But scale insects enjoy them, too. That is a problem for the state’s peach producers. Now is a good time for growers to make appropriate chemical applications, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peach blog. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, advises …
Rabbit Management: Conserve Habitat for Predators
By Clint Thompson Management of a South Florida pest starts with conserving the habitat for its predators. That’s what sugarcane and vegetable producers need to keep in mind when managing rabbit wildlife. “I’m going to quote a gentleman who heard about our (rabbit) workshop. He’s a producer in the western United States, and he said they had similar problems out …
Thrips Pressure Expected to Increase in Florida
Thrips pressure is currently low across the South Florida region. But this is the time of year when populations are expected to increase, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Vegetable growers, especially those with crops susceptible to thrips-vectored viruses, need to monitor populations and start management options early. Thrips pressure is starting to increase in most crops …
Whitefly Severity Varies Across Florida
Whitefly populations continue to vary in Florida vegetable fields. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, adult whiteflies are being observed in melons, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers in Southwest Florida. Respondents in Homestead indicate that whiteflies are present in tomatoes, beans and squash. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus is widespread in tomato, though most fields are still under …
ABT Populations Low Across South Florida
According to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations continue to show a downward trajectory in South Florida. The only scouting reports with ABT detected in blooms were observed in both the Clewiston and Loxahatchee areas. Both reported at 0.1 per bloom. Respondents in Homestead indicate that populations seem to be lower …
How to Protect Young Peaches from Plum Curculio
The onset of spring means preparing for insect pests if you are a fruit tree producer. Plum curculio is the most destructive insect that attacks early-season fruit. “If you have fruiting trees, especially peaches, now is the time to ramp up your monitoring efforts for plum curculio to determine if and when management decisions will need to be made,” urged …
Florida Blueberry Management: February Points of Emphasis
Blueberry management in Florida in February is critical with harvest season just around the corner. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reminds producers of various tips to keep in mind this month. From a disease standpoint, growers need to monitor for botrytis and control when need. Farmers also need to apply fungicides in rotation for control …
Asian Bean Thrip: What to Know for Snap Bean Growers
By Clint Thompson The emergence of the Asian bean thrip (ABT) is an added concern for specialty crop producers in the South Florida. While there are effective insecticides available, snap bean growers should still be wary of ABT, says Hugh Smith, an associate professor of entomology and nematology at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “Asian bean thrips …
Alabama Extension to Host Online Vegetable Production Meetings
Alabama Extension has scheduled vegetable production meetings via zoom, starting on Feb. 23 through March 30. Every Wednesday, from noon to 1:30 p.m., a different vegetable topic will be discussed with specialists at Alabama Extension. Andre da Silva, assistant professor in horticulture, and Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor in entomology and plant pathology, will discuss tomato varieties and tomato insect management …
Aphid Update in South Florida
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, aphid populations are starting to build up in certain areas. Respondents on the east coast report a few aphids are showing up in pepper and squash. Along the Everglades Agricultural Area, aphids are present in celery, cabbage and other crucifers, though pressure is light to moderate. Aphids are also present in …